Category: Highly Recommended by Powerpopaholic

Compilations: Anny Celsi, Ex-Norwegian and Shplang

powerpopaholic

Editor’s note: Every year we have a few artists do the “greatest hits” thing as an end to a career or a phase before a new direction. These artists are all highly recommended and should be part of any power pop fan’s album collection. These were my 2019 favorites…

 

Anny Celsi

Anny Celsi “Kaleidoscope Heart – 12 Golden Hits”

Annie Celsi’s music fits in a unique space. Here style is slightly psychedelic folk-pop with Brill Building hooks that’s been compared to Aimee Mann, Jackie DeShannon, Suzanne Vega, and Dusty Springfield. Celsi’s singing is emotional and compelling and with Kaleidoscope Heart, you get a terrific collection of her music, from the jangling gem “Tangle-Free World” to the Motown-like “Au Revoir, My Darling.” Aided by a cast of familiar talents like Nelson Bragg, Teresa Cowles, Amy Farris, Probyn Gregory, Adam Marsland, Robbie Rist, Evie Sands, and Nick Walusko, to name a few. It’s comfort food for your ears!

Amazon

Ex-Norwegian

Ex-Norwegian “Something Unreal: The Best Of Ex-Norwegian”

This is an expansive look at the talented duo of Roger Houdaille and Lucia Perez. Early on the band was produced by fellow Miami Beach resident Fernando Perdomo and the results are truly impressive. A massive amount of great music is here, 47 tracks across 2 discs. Roger’s early efforts stand up as the layered indie rock “Original Copy” and Kinks-influenced “Something Unreal” is just as catchy as ever. The band moves across genres effortlessly from psyche-pop to experimental pop, some of my favorites include the grunge guitar of “Jet Lag,” “Unstoppable,” “Initiative Rock” and I’m not even halfway through disc one. If you never checked out this band, this is a perfect primer. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Shplang

Shplang “Los Grandes Excritos (1994​-​2019)”

Shplang was always a great power pop band, rooted in influences like the Beatles and Kinks, but it also included a unique point of view. The duo of Peter Marston and John Krause were eventually joined by drummer Brian Cannizzaro. With 17 tracks, it pulls from over 20 years of music. They go the full gamut of styles; opening with the sweet and catchy pop of “Spanish Galleons”  to the new wave-influenced “I Don’t Know I Don’t Care.” The band’s quirky highlight “Delacroix” takes the Fab’s “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” in a blender with Serge Gainsbourg. “Little Star” is another brilliant example of taking a simple lyric and crafting it into pop genius. “Sway” shows that these guys also know how to crunch those power-pop chords as good as anyone. Overall a highly recommended collection of songs that any power pop fan would be proud to own.

Amazon

What I Missed: Bryan Estepa and Identical Suns

powerpopaholic

Editor’s note: It happens every year. I miss several releases from 2019. Some are high on other bloggers lists, some I just forgot to review (Doh!) and others just seem to slip through the cracks for a variety of reasons.  This week I will review a few of these remaining 2019 albums.

 

Bryan Estepa

Bryan Estepa “Sometimes I Just Don’t Know”

The venerable Australian singer-songwriter Bryan Estepa delivers a stark, emotional album that earned Absolute PowerPop blog’s #1 album spot. Estepa has always tackled serious adult subjects, and the first track “I’m Not Ready For This” is all about dealing with a serious health crisis. Bryan’s strong vocals are filled with empathy that sets the tone of the album. While the music is more adult-oriented pop than power pop, you do get catchy and melodic songs like “Drawn Like Magnets.”

Dealing with doubt, fear and how your loved one gives you the strength to go on is also a central theme. “Rattled and Rolled” and “Another Kind of Madness” deal with these strong emotions and the tight compositions keep it compelling. The lyrics will resonate with the patient listener, “Granted” is some of the best advice a song can give. It would be too easy to turn this somber subject matter into a depressing album, but Estepa fights through these feelings with conviction. I will concede this would have made it in my top 20, and thus a highly recommended listen.

Amazon

Identical Suns

Identical Suns “Week Minded”

This Ohio band led by Rene Rodriguez, Todd Stanton, and Andrew Stanton does a good job of creating pop eclecticism with a sense of fun. Taking influences from Mike Viola, NRBQ, and The Beach Boys, it starts with the bouncy “Saving It Up For Sunday” that goes through a typical week in the life. The themes alternate from happy to sad and the lead vocalist duties shift from song to song (with mixed results).  

So we get the slow lounge ballad “She Makes Me Happy” followed by the hopeful pop of “Maybe Next Time.” Next, we get some slow faux Jimmy Buffet on “Wanted Man,” but things again pickup with the uptempo “Halfway There.” The highlight of the album is “Miss Her Reminiscing” with great lead guitar and the tender “Silence in The Room” is another beautiful gem about dealing with the loss of a loved one. Check it out, it’s music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | CD Baby

The Lolas and Matthew Milia

powerpopaholic
The Lolas

The Lolas “A Dozen Or Seven Tapestries”

After a 13 year absence, Tim Boykin has reformed The Lolas and the band hasn’t lost its ability to create catchy melodies and sweet harmonies with loud raucous guitars. Boykin is joined by drummer Shea Rives and bassist Jeff Waites, and together they pick up where the band left off. This impressive Kool Kat label debut displays a tight musical combo playing ten solid cuts of prime power pop.

The title track blasts from the speakers with bright clear vocals and a dominant riff leading the way. The influences are classic (The Beatles, The Ramones, Big Star) and the relentless hooks keep on coming. “DJ Girl” is a great mid-tempo pop gem, and “Bon Voyage” is a fast tempo melody with a driving guitar rhythm. The psychedelic “Wish You Were Loud Enough” seems slightly out of place, but “Assailant” leads with a wicked fuzz bassline and multi-tracked harmonies. The not-safe-for-work “Lightning Mountain” is probably the most beautiful jangling Rickenbacker melody to contain the f-word. Not a single note of filler and yes, this also makes my crowded top ten list this year. It’s also worth noting that The Lolas have a new LP coming out early January. Boykin has a new crew playing on this one, and it’s likely to be one of my first reviews of 2020.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Lolas

Matthew Milia “Alone at St. Hugo”

Singer Matthew Milia (Frontier Ruckus) helped his old band earn fame based on his finely honed songwriting skills. He turns to the nostalgia of his youth during Catholic school as the subject matter and his sound seems to squarely fit in-between Ben Folds and Elliot Smith. Opening with soothing California styled pop of “‘Alive At The Same Time” has an easy-going jangling melody and smooth Beach Boys styled harmonies. “Puncture” has that stream of consciousness lyric about life and self-acceptance. “Congratulations Honey” is a steel pedal ballad that looks back on his “white trash town,” and then the jangle comes back on the compelling “Attention Students” that recalls the Jayhawks or Wilco.

The songs vividly describe an intimate portrait, a great example being “Swollen Home” about mundane suburban living; the ambiance comes through each verse. “Abruptly Old And Caffeinated” picks up the tempo, the verses work poetically and then a key change in the latter half make it another keeper. While not every song is a slow ballad, all the songs emanate a feeling of bittersweet melancholy. The lack of hooks or tonal variety work against the album, but it’s the skillful musicianship and writing that make this an album that deserves to be heard. 

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Jordan Jones and The Whiffs

powerpopaholic
Jordan Jones

Jordan Jones “Jordan Jones”

Sometimes when you hear great power pop, it’s easy to spot right away. Los Angeles based Jordan Jones debut is one of those rare instances. His music was a cassette-only release on Burger Records, and later a digital release on Beluga Records this year. Starting with “Wrote You A Song For Me,” I hear a distinct Marc Bolan influence and it sounds like a surefire hit from the golden age of power pop (Big Star, Raspberries, Cheap Trick).

“Understood” is a quick gem with punk fuzz guitar and a fast tempo not unlike The Connection. “My Somebody” is a smooth guitar melody, layered with crashing drums about getting older and looking for somebody. It leads into the super catchy “No Makeup” with smart lyrics about loving the girl whether she has makeup or not. The potential hits keep coming; the mid-tempo “Rumour Girls,” “Waiting” and “Be My Baby” are brilliant in its simplicity. The acoustic “Do You Wanna Hang Out” is just the kind of honest romance Chris Bell would write about on #1 Record. The marching drumbeat opens “Oh My Heavenz” and anchors this sped-up ballad to finish this short debut. Every single one of these ten songs resonates and Jones pulls it off with style and enthusiasm. Highly recommended and a definite spot saved in my top ten list for 2019.

Amazon

The Whiffs

The Whiffs “Another Whiff”

Kansas City’s The Whiffs began with a simple EP in 2017, and they emulated the sound (and look) of Stiff Records label artists like Nick Lowe and Wreckless Eric. This year they took a big leap forward in quality, with songs that would be big hits in a world circa 1978 – 1980. The sound has elements of classic power pop and punk, all 14 quick jams in under three minutes each. “Shaking All Over” is a great Lowe-sounding single with a catchy chorus and a great guitar solo. More standouts include the Raspberries-like “Hey Little Annie,” “Please Be True” and “Dream About Judy.”

The bands’ influences include Alex Chilton and Paul Westerberg with heartbreakers full of three-part harmonies like “Throw It Away” and “She.” The pub rock roots come through “On The Boulevard,” and some upbeat punk tunes end the album. My biggest issue with all this is the very muddy sound production. I understand the need for authenticity when recreating an era’s sound, but most of the album’s songs have the mid-range pumped up high. Like a worn-out cassette, it sounds like someone threw a blanket over the entire mix. There is a reason old albums get remastered, and if the band ever did this — it would give these tunes a real chance to shine. Still, this is absolutely an essential listen for power pop fans. Check it out.

Amazon

Dave Cope & the Sass and Eric Crugnale

powerpopaholic
Dave Cope and The Sass

Dave Cope and the Sass “Dave Cope and the Sass”

Philadelphia based Dave Cope and The Sass exemplifies the mid 70’s rock that personified classic power-pop (Big Star, The DB’s) mixed with the album rock of that era (BTO, Foghat, Steve Miller Band, Bad Company.) The band (Dave Cope, Ethan Rider, and Fred Berman) takes it’s time to grow on you, starting with “Seeing Things” and it begins with a Beach Boys hymn before strumming along to a George Harrison-like tune that sticks with each verse despite the 5 minutes + time. “My Way Out” blasts forth with a guitar attack and its a catchy gem that proves to you this band is special. Then its “Living in the Middle,” a brilliant single that just hooks you immediately. I was sold at this point.

There is not a single note of filler here, and several tracks will live on your playlist; “If Your Mama Only Knew” and “Josephine” will rock your socks off and “Dog Days” recalls The Beatles “Blackbird” with its gentle acoustic melody. The music is not only well written but played to perfection. Add this album for consideration to the top ten list in 2019. Highly Recommended and well deserved.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Eric Crugnale

Eric Crugnale “Time Kills”

Long Islander Eric Crugnale made a good impression with Carol Was Here a few years back.  So it’s a good time of the season to hear him again with producer Kevin Bents assisting. Crugnale is a singer-songwriter that plucks at the heartstrings, and on “Don’t Give Up” he lives up to that description. The song is a hopeful tune when “No one knows your name” during the holiday season. “Dreams and Memories” has a flowing chorus with a 70’s styled synth that adds bells and horns at its peak.

Next, the impressive “Turn Damn This Car Around” is a scenario set to music, with its colorful piano/guitar interplay reminding me of Ben Folds a little. Much of the music is set around failed relationships with a touch of R&B, good examples being “A Shoulder (To Cry On)” and “Love Won’t Change Your Mind.” Fans of the blue-eyed soul of Hall and Oats will enjoy “Wagon,” and “I Just Wanna Be Loved By You.” Eric is much more confident on Time Kills, as “It Must Be Love” boasts an uplifting theme with a group of Beatlesque horns adding a flourish. While a few tunes feel repetitive, there is enough here to rate this as highly recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby